Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani has said that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches scheduled to be held in Lahore and Karachi are on track despite the prevailing uncertainty in the region due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
Flanked by owners on the six PSL franchises, Mani on Thursday, 27 February, said that it had been decided to hold the PSL matches – including the final – as per schedule in Pakistan from 7-17 March after a review of the situation.
“The franchise owners are in total agreement with this decision and even the overseas players who had initially agreed to play in Pakistan will be going with their franchises to Lahore and Karachi.”Ehsan Mani, PCB chairman
This is the first time since the launch of the PSL in 2016 that the PCB is holding matches in Pakistan.
Due to the increasing tensions between India and Pakistan and fears of a conflict between the two nuclear armed nations, there was speculation that the Pakistan leg of the PSL would be held in Dubai.
Asked if the PCB had consulted the government in this matter before taking the decision, Mani said it was purely a decision of the board.
Asked whether the board was prepared to provide the required security for the teams and overseas players despite war-like conditions in the region, Mani said everything would be done as earlier planned.
“When Australia can play in India at this time, and we also have a women’s team [England] in India, the scenario is no different in Pakistan as far as security is concerned. So we see no reason to change our plans.”Ehsan Mani, PCB chairman
Mani did state, however, that the PCB would continue to monitor the situation.
The last four matches of the league stage of PSL 4, as well as the four playoff games, are scheduled to be held in Lahore and Karachi, with Karachi hosting the final.
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